Modern Fiction Books > Isabel Allende Modern Fiction Books

Advantages: Intensely passionate epic story
Disadvantages: It had to end :(

...a 70 year period of the upper class del Valle and Trueba families in the 20th century. Although it never mentions actual dates throughout, this helps sustain the cocoon of the the created situation. There is much speculation where the novel is set but again Allende does not actually name the country, only that it is South America. This is very much the style of the book, it is a wonderful cocoon of a families experiences within the changing economic ...
...It is told in the third person narrative from the perspective of found family diaries, with occasional switches to first person narrative to the most central character in the book the patriachal Esteban Trueba. This may sound strange but it is seamless and works very well, it allows every character to come fully to life. There are many varied characters who come and go throughout the story besides the main family ones and they are all given depth ... Read review

Advantages: everything!
Disadvantages: it has to end

This is such a great book that I really do not want to ruin it for you by giving away the plot! This may mean that this review is not that long but please mark it on quality not quantity. The story begins in San Francisco with the legendary bed of Paulina del Valle, bought to show up her estranged husband. Allende is skilful in the way that she can begin a novel with a minute detail that instantly involves the reader. Paulina del Valle is of Chilean ...
...made herself and her husband (Feliciano Rodriguez de Santa Cruz) very rich not through the gold rush (although it is set during this time) but through her keen intuition of demand and supply. In recent years she has become fat through eating too many of Eliza Sommers’ delicious pastries. Eliza Sommer has opened the pastry shop because the benevolent Tao Chi’en, despite being the most successful man in China Town, gives so much of his money that he ... Read review

Advantages: typical Allende, wonderfully descriptive and imaginative
Disadvantages: Focused towards younger readers

Another classic on South American culture, this time the mysterious tribes which are dotted along the Amazon. Allende's writing puts you right into the heart of the Jungle, and right into the heart of South America. Tribes hidden from the eyes of the moden world are slowly being destroyed by the lack of immune defences against common illnesses found in Western nations, leading to more conservation to keep them protected, but how do you protect them ...
...are puts them at risk. This story tells of a doctors plight to save these indigenous tribes but as always there's a baddie out to destroy their good work. Lovely easy read, good descriptive and powerful characters. Due to the writing style, its definately recommended for younger children. A great introduction to her work. ... Read review

Advantages: well-developed characters
Disadvantages: Limited conversations between characters

The book begins with an unlikely family with uniquely different backgrounds and ideas all traveling together to present a sort of "New Age" tent revival somewhere around 1950. The Infinite Plan presentation and lecture invites attendees to open their minds to the role we play within the entire universe. The choices we make daily affect other people, and their decisions and actions may influence someone else's direction, and so on. The Infinite Plan ...
...take directly and indirectly affects the entire universe, which must stay balanced to avoid chaos. The storyline of the book primarily follows the life of Gregory Reeves. His early boyhood is spent traveling around California stopping at various small towns to invite people to hear about The Infinite Plan, which has been written and designed by Gregory's father. Although the lectures are free to the public, they make a little money from selling ... Read review

Advantages: likeable characters and well written
Disadvantages: incredulous plot

...is not a sequel to Daughter of Fortune Eliza and Tao Chi'en are in it and you learn of the fate of their relationship, although they are not the main focus of the story. I really enjoyed this novel and i hope that this review will inspire you to read it and to continue, as i have done, to read other Allende books. . ... Read review